STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Egypt Enforces State of Emergency, VP Resigns as Death Toll Passes 100

A month-long state of emergency has been declared in Egypt after a clash between security forces and protesters in Cairo led to chaotic bloodshed and at least 149 deaths.

A seething tension between Egypt’s security forces and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi boiled over on Wednesday after riot police moved into two encampments in Cairo.

Interim President Adly Mansour declared a month-long state of emergency, which took effect at 10 a.m. ET, to counter the subsequent bloody fighting that left at least 149 dead and 1,403 injured, according to Egypt’s health ministry. Witnesses and pro-Morsi volunteers have insisted that the toll is much higher.

Casualties so far include the 17-year-old daughter of a top Muslim Brotherhood leader and two foreign media journalists. To protest the violent onslaught, interim Vice President Mohamed Mustafa El Baradei promptly resigned.

The office of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released a statement to condemn the violence “in the strongest terms” and call for restraint from both sides.

“In the aftermath of today's violence, the Secretary-General urges all Egyptians to concentrate their efforts on promoting genuinely inclusive reconciliation,” read the statement.

A number of countries, including Turkey, Great Britain and Italy, reiterated the Secretary-General’s concern, expressing deep concern over the brutal crackdown.

"An armed intervention against civilian people who stage protests is unacceptable, regardless of its justification," said Turkey’s President Abdullah, who spoke publicly in a recent televised appearance.

"The international community, especially the U.N. Security Council and Arab League, must act immediately to stop this massacre."

A White House spokesperson urged against a return to a state of emergency and called on the government to "respect basic human rights such as freedom of peaceful assembly, and due process under the law."

The sit-ins were organized in July to protest the ousting of Morsi, the country’s first democratically elected president. Political violence ensued after army forces overthrew the leader 12-months into his rule, which has resulted in more than 300 deaths.

 

BET Global News - Your source for Black news from around the world, including international politics, health and human rights, the latest celebrity news and more. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: AP Photo/Ahmed Gomaa)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.